Porto Itinerary: How to Spend One Day in Porto, Portugal

(Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Last Updated on November 22, 2024 by sydabroad

If you are planning to spend one day in Porto, then keep reading! 

Portugal is a dream destination, from the golden beaches of the Algarve to the vibrant streets of Lisbon and the eclectic charm of Porto. If you’re considering a trip to Porto, let me tell you, don’t skip it! 

Porto is a city filled with history, stunning architecture, and its world-famous Port wine. No visit to Porto would be complete without a wine tasting. Trust me, it’s a must! 

During my summer backpacking trip across Europe, I spent four days exploring Porto. Whether you have one day or a few, this Porto itinerary is designed to help you make the most of your time in the city. I’ve packed everything you can see and do in one full day, but I’ve also included some extra recommendations in case you have a little more time to spare. 

In this guide, you’ll find activities, day trips, and practical tips on where to stay, eat, and more. Plus, at the end of this itinerary, I’ve included a map with all the locations mentioned and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Porto. 

Although you won’t be able to see everything in just one day, trust me, you can experience a lot–especially if you’re ready to explore on foot. So, let’s dive into this ultimate Porto itinerary! 

Looking for more Portugal guides?

• 16 Best Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal 

This article is all about how to spend one day in Porto, Portugal. 

Porto Itinerary | The Best Things to do in Porto, Portugal 

Start Your Morning with Pastel de Nata at Castro

The best thing about Portugal? Pastel de nata. These are creamy, flaky, Portuguese custard tarts and they are so delicious. Especially with some cinnamon and powdered sugar on top. 

I know this isn’t necessarily a balanced breakfast, but it makes for the perfect morning treat with a cup of coffee. There are many amazing places to try pastel de nata in Porto but my favorite is Castro. Their pastries and coffees are amazing, I went so many times. And don’t be alarmed if there is a line outside, it moves quickly. 

Some other tasty places to have pastel de nata and coffee in Porto are Manteigaria, Confeitaria do Bolhāo, and Fabrica de Nata. Start your day in Porto with one of these treats and I promise you’ll have the perfect day! 

See The Stunning Sāo Bento Railway Station 

Next, before it gets too crowded, head to Sāo Bento Railway Station. You don’t need much time here (just 10 minutes or so) but you’ll want to see one of the most beautiful train stations in the country. Its intricate blue tiles are stunning. Make sure to go in the morning, because this spot can be quite packed in the afternoon.  

Igreja do Carmo Porto

A trip to Porto is not complete without a photo of the mesmerizing Igreja do Carmo. This is one of Porto’s most iconic churches, famous for its stunning baroque and rococo architecture. The church is covered in these gorgeous blue and white azulejo tiles that make up a stunning mural. This makes it one of the most photographed spots in Porto. 

The Igreja do Carmo is one of two churches sitting side by side. They are separated by one of the narrowest houses in the world which was originally built to separate the church for monks apart from the church for nuns. 

The interior of Igreja do Carmo is filled with intricate gilded woodwork, carvings, and altars. And although you won’t have time to go into every church you see with just one day in Porto, this one is beautiful. You’ll need to pay a small fee to visit certain parts of the interior of the church, but the outside is completely free to admire. 

During my trip, I only visited the outside of Igreja do Carmo and it was well worth it. I suggest going early if you’d like to snap a good photo here without any other tourists in the back. 

The Famous Livraria Lello

Situated just steps away from Igreja do Carmo, is Livraria Lello. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you won’t want to miss this—first some background on this world-famous bookshop and then my personal opinions on visiting. 

Livraria Lello is renowned for being one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world and many believe the bookstore inspired the magic of Hogwarts and the moving staircase in the Harry Potter movies because J.K. Rowling lived in Porto in the early 1990s. 

It’s a stunning building, built in 1906 that features neo-gothic and art nouveau elements. The bookshop serves as a hub for Portuguese literature and it is visited by thousands of people from all over the world every year. 

Alright, now let’s talk about how to visit. Because this bookshop has become so famous you do have to pay for a ticket to get inside. Yeah, I know it sounds crazy but it is what it is. And if you buy a book, you’ll get that portion of what you paid to enter deducted. So if you plan on buying a book anyway, it’s worth it to buy a ticket. 

Tickets cost €8 and you have to buy these ahead of time online. You’ll end up choosing a timeslot and I suggest going early in the morning or late in the afternoon before closing. Expect crowds when you visit. Honestly, I was shocked by how busy it was even with tickets, you could barely move. That being said, I did enjoy experiencing this iconic site in Porto and I did end up buying a book, The Great Gatsby. 

If you are not a book person or a Harry Potter fan, I’d skip it. Especially if you want to avoid very crowded places because this bookshop was packed. Like shoulder-to-shoulder packed. As for books they sell, they offer a wide range of classics in various languages and many amazing special edition books. I liked how unique some of their books were so that’s why I had to pick up a copy of The Great Gatsby. 

It’s certainly an experience, and if you choose not to visit, there are plenty of other things to do during your one day in Porto. Would I visit again? No. But, did I think it was fun to see? Yes.

Note: If you plan on visiting to snap one of those iconic photos on the stairs, this is nearly impossible with the crowds. From my experience, I could barely walk up the stairs. 

Porto’s Old Town | Ribeira 

Ribeira is Porto’s historic old town. It’s a vibrant neighborhood located along the Douro River known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and lively atmosphere. You can walk along the Dom Luís I Bridge (we’ll get to that next) which connects Porto with Villa Nova de Gaia. 

You can also visit Sāo Francisco Church and Palácio da Bolsa (the Palace of the Stock Exchange). It’s a lively area in Porto with many iconic sites nearby. You won’t miss this area during your one day in Porto. There are also many amazing restaurants and cafes along the waterfront. 

Pro-tip: Be prepared for hills in Porto. It’s extremely hilly everywhere and can be quite the trek to get from place to place. Wear good walking shoes! 

One of my favorite things to do when I first get to a new city is take a free walking tour. This is a great way to get a sense of where everything is, learn about the city itself, and you’ll get the best local recs from your guide. I love booking my walking tours with GuruWalk – check them out here! But always remember to tip your guide.

Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls) 

This is a striking chapel known for its beautiful blue and white tile exterior. The tiles were designed by artist, Eduardo Leite and added in 1929. It’s a beautiful photo spot in Porto and it’s conveniently located not too far from the old town. Although the inside is not as exquisite as the outside, it is a pretty chapel, and they have a small gift shop inside. 

Lunch at Cafe Santiago 

I’m going to include more of the best restaurants and where to eat in Porto later in this guide, but hear me out, you have to try Francesinha at Cafe Santiago. It’s a Porto classic! 

Francesinha is a sandwich originally from Porto made with layers of toasted bread and assorted hot meats. It’s topped with melted cheese, an egg, and spicy beer & tomato sauce. It was delicious. 

I was on an EF Ultimate Break tour to Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, and in Portugal, we did the Algarve and Lisbon on tour and I chose to keep traveling and visit Porto on my own. Our tour guide was from Porto and she gave us all the best food recs in the city! You seriously can’t miss out on this sandwich in Porto, it’s incredible. 

Port Wine Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia

A trip to Porto is not complete without a Port wine tasting. Next on this Porto itinerary, head over to the Gaia side of the river via the Luís I Bridge for a classic tasting of Port wine. There are so many boutique wineries and wine cellars here. You can’t go wrong with anywhere that you choose. 

We went to the wine bar, Portologia – La Maison des Port, and it was amazing. To make the directions easy, put this wine bar into your maps and walk over to this area. From here, the options are endless. At first, when visiting all I could find on blogs was to navigate to “Vila Nova de Gaia” which will not take you to the accurate spot. So do not put this exact spot into Google Maps or you will end up in the wrong area. 

Navigate to Portologia – La Maison des Port or another cellar you have in mind and you’ll be right near the waterfront where you can enjoy live music, shopping, many restaurants, and delicious port wine. 

There is a little shop along the river where you’ll see cherry and a chocolate cup on the front, this is ginjinha. it’s a traditional Portuguese liquor made from brandy or fortified wine infused with sour cherries, sugar, and cinnamon and you need to try it! For a a euro or two you can get one and enjoy it by the river. They are so good, so make sure to end your port wine tasting with one of the tasty sweet treats 

While on this side of the river, if you are looking for more to do, you can ride the Gaia Cable Car which costs €7. 

Port Wine Recs in Vila Nova de Gaia: 

• Portologia – La Maison des Porto: This is where we visited and it was great. It was a little wine shop and we had a nice tasting of five port wines. 
• Graham’s: One of the most famous wineries in Porto that dates back to the 1800s. They offer exceptional tastings and insightful tours. 
• Taylor’s: For those looking to learn all about the history of Port, visit the historic cellar, Taylor’s. Here, you’ll also find a modern museum where you can learn more about wine.  
• Sandeman: A 200-year-old port cellar with impressive tasting options. You can opt for a classic tasting or a more specialized experience–a tasting with food pairings. 
• Churchill’s: This is a family-owned winery where you can explore their collection of Ports and learn about the history of the Churchill’s brand. 

Book a port wine tasting in Porto here!

Catch the Sunset at Jardim do Morro 

Next, go to Jardim do Morro. It’s the perfect sunset spot on the Gaia side of the river so it’s an easy next spot. It’s such a vibe and there’s usually live music. 

If you want to skip a sit-down dinner, you can always bring snacks up to this viewpoint for a nice sunset picnic. Oh, and bring a bottle of wine. My friend and I picked up a bottle of Vinho Verde, “green wine,” which is a Portuguese classic that originated in the historic Minho Province in the north of the country. I highly recommend trying green wine when you visit Porto. 

Pro-tip: even in the summer, the evenings can be quite chilly in Porto. Bring clothes to layer with and lightweight sweater for the evenings. 

Dinner at Adega Sāo Nicolau

This was one of my favorite meals probably during my entire four months in Europe. It was so good. This place is always packed, and I believe you can email them ahead of time to make a reservation. However, if you don’t have a reservation, I suggest going for an early dinner or planning to wait awhile for a table. They will serve you wine while you wait! 

You have to try one of their most iconic dishes, the fried octopus. It’s served with rice and is so delicious. We also had a couple of apps and their fresh shrimp. Everything was amazing.

While we were there it was National Port Wine Day (we had no idea!) and so we were served a complimentary glass of port at the end of our meal. If you can’t get in for dinner and have more time in Porto, try to go to Adega Sāo Nicolau for lunch. 

If you are heading to Spain, check out my Granada travel guide along with the best things to do in Seville here! 

Additional Things to Do in Porto 

Claus Porto | Soaps

This is the cutest soap shop in Porto. If you are looking for a gift for someone or a little something to bring home, you can’t miss this spot.

Claus Porto is one of the oldest soap shops in Portugal and there is even a little museum upstairs. The variety of scents is endless and they all smelt so good. I picked up a lavender lemon soap for my grandma. 

Mercado do Bolhāo

If you are a foodie and have extra time in Porto, visit Bolhāo market. This market has a wide variety of foods, snacks, and drinks. I went one morning and picked up a smoothie – it was so fresh and they had every flavor you could imagine. 

The market had a wonderful selection of seafood, cheeses, meats, cakes, bread, fruits, and Portuguese classics. They also had packaged chocolates and sweets that made for something delicious to take home. 

Relax at The Beach

If you have an extra day in Porto and are looking to escape the city for a bit, head to a beach. A few popular beaches in Porto are Matosinhos Beach, Praia de Moledo, and Praia dos Ingleses. This is where many people go to surf, and you can easily get there by public transport. 

Palácio da Bolsa 

Palácio da Bolsa is a beautiful 19th-century palace showcasing Portuguese art and history. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is classified as a National Monument. 

Take Surf Lessons in Porto 

If you want to try out surfing, Porto is a great place to do it. There are many different types of surf lessons you can take, such as group lessons or private lessons. Book a surf lesson here.

Douro River Cruise 

For a unique perspective of Porto, book a Douro River cruise. There is a wide range of cruise options depending on what your budget is and what you prefer. If you are looking for a basic cruise, on the Gaia side of the river, you’ll find boats departing almost every hour and these tickets cost around €15. 

However, if you are looking for a more luxurious experience, you’ll pay closer to €40. This boat cruise includes a port wine tasting which would be fun! 

Food Tour in Porto

Porto seriously has some incredible food and the best way to experience the city’s culinary delights is by taking a food tour! I’ve taken food tours in Bangkok, Istanbul, and Naples and it’s one of my favorite things to do while traveling. 

• If you are looking for drinks and food, check out this food and wine walking tour in Porto!
• This is a highly rated 3-hour food tour that has many breakfast and lunch foods to try.
• If you want to do something a bit more unique, I suggest this pastel de nata cooking class! You’ll also get to enjoy a glass of wine.

Climb Clérigos Tower 

If you are up for the challenge of climbing 240 steps for an incredible view, climb to the top of Clérigos Tower. This is the iconic bell tower in Porto, that stands at a height of 79 meters (249 feet). 

Inside, you’ll also find a small museum that you can visit with religious artifacts and artwork from the Brotherhood of the Clérigos. Admission to the museum is included with the price of the tower ticket. 

The church itself is free to enter as mentioned, you will need a ticket to climb the tower. Because it’s a popular tourist attraction, it’s busy. So I suggest booking your ticket ahead of time. 

Beautiful view at Miradouro da Vitória  

This is a picturesque viewpoint located at the top of a hill in the heart of the Old Town. It’s beautiful at any time of day but especially during sunrise and sunset. So, if you can make your way here at some point, I highly recommend checking out Miradouro da Vitória. It’s also completely free to visit. 

Where to Eat and Drink in Porto, Portugal? 

Alright, we’ve covered a few delicious spots in this guide already, but I’m going to consolidate them into a list with even more options. I absolutely love Portuguese food, and Porto has some amazing places to eat. 

• SO Coffee Roasters 
• Fábrica: For tasty specialty coffee.
• Castro: Amazing coffee and pastel de nata  
• Café Santiago: For Francesinha (a Portuguese sandwich) 
• Portologia Porto, La Maison des Porto: For port wine tasting.  
• Torto Bar and Cocktails: A vibey bar with good cocktails by the Selina. 
• Snack Bar Gazela: Try the Bifana, a classic Portuguese sandwich. 
• Brasāo Restaurant: Francesinha
• Pregar: Try the steak sandwich, it’s the best I’ve ever had.  
• Manteigaria: pastel de nata 
• WOW Porto: World of Wine (museum and wine) 
• My Coffee Porto: Specialty coffee shop 
• Negra Café
• Story Brunch 
• Adega Sāo Nicolau

FAQs about Spending One Day in Porto 

Is it worth going to Porto for one day? 

Yes! Although one day in Porto is not enough time to see it all, you will get a great taste of the city and that just gives you an excuse to go back one day! If you are up for a jam-packed itinerary and a lot of walking, you really can see a lot in Porto in only 24 hours. 

Is Porto a walking city? 

Yes, but be aware of the hills. The hills are no joke (in both Porto and Lisbon) so wear your walking shoes and bring water with you. That being said, if you are near the old town, you can walk just around everywhere. Porto is a very walkable city. 

If you are looking to visit beaches in Porto or take surf lessons, public transportation is efficient and affordable. 

How far is the Douro wine region from Porto? 

Depending on where you visit in the Douro Valley, it’s anywhere from 60 to 85 miles away from Porto. (100 to 140 km). This will take you one to two hours. You can also take a train that will take just about two and a half hours one way and cost €5 to €25. 

 If you have a rental car you can drink out for wine tastings or you can book a guided tour, which is the best choice in my opinion. There are plenty of day trips to Douro Valley from Porto and if you have a free day this is a great way to spend it!  

Is one day in Porto enough?

For a taste of the city, yes. But you won’t get to fully experience Porto in just one day – there is so much to see! But don’t let this stop you from visiting, even if you only have 24 hours in Porto, you’ll have an amazing time. 

How to get to Porto 

You can reach Porto in various ways. I was coming from Lisbon, so I took a Flixbus from Lisbon to Porto but I also had a friend that took a train from Lisbon to Porto. Here are the main ways to reach Porto.  

Flying to Porto 

If you are coming from another country, you’ll likely fly into Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). Porto’s airport is very well connected to major cities in Europe and some other international destinations.

When I left Porto, I flew out of OPO to head to Amsterdam. The airport is 9 miles (15 km) from the city center and I booked an Uber which cost about €15. You can also use the metro or a bus to get from the airport to the city center and vice versa. 

Train or bus to Porto 

If you are coming from another city in Portugal or even Spain, taking a bus or a train is the best option. I suggest using Flixbus and Omio to book trains and buses around Europe. 

From Lisbon, the journey will take anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 hours. If you are coming from Madrid, you can take night trains or high-speed trains that may include a transfer in Vigo or Lisbon. 

When arriving in Porto, you’ll likely arrive at Campanhā Station which is the main station for long-distance trains and buses. Or you may arrive at the hub for regional trains, São Bento Station (known as one of the most beautiful train stations in the country).

Driving to Porto 

On the other hand, you can drive to Porto which allows you the most flexibility. With a car, you can stop at scenic spots along the way and go on your own time. Keep in mind that parking in Porto can be limited, especially in the historic center. 

I love using RentalCars.com for renting cars abroad! They’ll make sure you get the best rate across rental companies and have a wonderful cancellation policy. If you want to rent a car in Porto, check out your rental options here!

How to get around Porto 

Porto is a very walkable city and has a great public transportation system. It’s an easy city to get around which is something I love about it. If you want to visit the beaches you can hop on the city’s metro system. 

The transport system in Porto is made up of buses, trams, and the metro. You can also use contactless payment methods for transportation in Porto. 

Taxis and rideshare are also available in Porto and fares are usually pretty affordable. I would opt for rideshare over taxis because they are typically cheaper. 

Where to stay in Porto 

There are many wonderful hostels, boutiques hotels, and airbnbs in Porto. Options for any budget. As for where to stay in Porto, I suggest staying on the “main side” of Porto where the old town is. This is where most of the attractions are so to make the most of your one day in Porto, stay here. I’ve listed some accommodation recommendations below. 

Lost Inn Porto Hostel | This is the hostel where I stayed and it was great. It was in the old town, walkable to just about everywhere. The rooms were clean and had an outlet and a curtain. There was a nice common area, a great place to get some work done too. I also loved how this hostel organized tours around the city and they could connect you with surf lessons. Check availability here.  

Selina Porto | The Selina Porto is a very nice Selina hostel. Selina’s are usually always reliable, I stayed at one of their locations in Mexico City. It’s conveniently located and there is a nice cocktail bar right next to it. Check availability here.  

Torel Palace Porto | If you are looking for a boutique hotel in Porto, check out this property. It’s a beautiful hotel housed in a historic mansion. Torel Palace Porto has stunning rooms and delicious restaurants onsite. Check availability here. 

How to make the most of your one day in Porto 

To make the most out of your one day in Porto, start early and plan your day as best you can. If you opt not to follow this itinerary, switch things up that only make sense as to where you are in the city.

Use the map in this guide to hit all the spots you want to visit that are near each other. Make sure you are prepared for a full day of exploring and walking and you’ll make the most of your 24 hours in Porto. 

Porto One Day Itinerary Map 

I hope you enjoyed this guide all about planning a trip to Porto, Portugal! If you have any questions about your one day in Porto, DM me on Instagram or comment below.

Recommended Tours in Porto

Like this post? Pin it to save for later!